According to Robert Murray, the Chicago White Sox are in the process of signing pitcher John Holdzkom. This spring, Holdzkom had a big dip in velocity, which caused him to be among the first players cut by the Pirates. He said that he was healthy and the ball just wasn’t coming out of his hand well, while the Pirates believed there was an injury concern. He went to minor league camp, where he was placed on the rehab roster and he never improved. Holdzkom was designated for assignment on April 3rd when the Pirates needed to make room on the 40-man roster. The Pirates released him on the 11th, citing the fact they couldn’t outright him to the minors because he wasn’t healthy.
The 28-year-old Holdzkom missed most of last season, getting placed on the disabled list three different times. When he did pitch, he had command issues, which kept him in the minors all season. His only Major League experience has been for the Pirates at the end of the 2014 season, when he posted a 2.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts in nine innings over nine appearances.
Source: #WhiteSox signing RHP John Holdzkom. Formerly with the Pirates.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) April 18, 2016